Author: On Common Ground News

The parents of 2-year-old AJ Burgess and Emory Healthcare are making progress toward getting the life-saving kidney transplant the toddler needs, attorneys for the family say. After weeks of protests from supporters demanding treatment for the child, Emory Healthcare officials met with the parents, Carmellia Burgess and Anthony Dickerson, along with their attorneys, Mawuli Davis and Harold Spence, on Monday. The meeting followed Emory’s decision last Friday to move forward with permitting Dickerson, who is a 100 percent match, to donate his kidney to the toddler. Attorneys said on Monday Dickerson must complete a series of tests before…

Two weeks after unveiling development plans that include an aquarium, a major sports retailer, virtual golf and a sports bar and grill, Atlanta Sports City at Stonecrest (ASC) is inviting contractors, vendors/suppliers and businesses to learn about opportunities available for the Stonecrest projects. ASC also is seeking requests for proposals for the development of its web platform and mobile app. Vendors and suppliers are invited to attend information sessions on Nov. 28 or Dec. 7, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Contractors are invited to attend sessions on Nov. 29 or Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All of the…

Stonecrest employees do a walk-through of their new digs The city of Stonecrest will welcome residents and visitors to its new City Hall on Saturday, Nov. 11, noon to 3 p.m., 3120 Stonecrest Boulevard. A ribbon cutting ceremony with city officials and other dignitaries is planned, along with a half day of festivities. Arabia Mountain High School’s marching band will perform and the color guards from Miller Grove High School will participate in the historic celebration of the new city of 53,000 residents. The R&B band, Gritz & Jelly Butter Band will perform. City officials have been housed in temporary…

L-R: Retired Lt. Col. Amos King and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond As military veteran Gregory Williams prepares to stand trial for killing his 78-year-old grandmother, retired Lt. Col. Amos King, who heads Justice for Veterans, said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has refused to meet with his organization and discuss a plan of action for veterans suffering from mental illness. King said Millicent Williams, 78, might still be alive today, if Gregory Williams, who was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, had received the help he needed. “I don’t think he (Thurmond) has the veterans’ best interest at heart,” said King. “It’s…

Jean Yontz was announced as the Woman of the Year at the first annual we3 Women’s Conference, presented by the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce. Yontz, executive director of Phoenix Pass, a nonprofit for transitional housing for women and children, was presented the award on Oct. 20. She was recognized as a woman who has distinguished herself, her profession, and her commitment to uplifting women in the Conyers-Rockdale community. Other finalists were Robin Chance, branch manager for Georgia United Credit Union, and Vickie Stevenson, executive director of Project Renewal Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Inc. Over 250 women attended the conference, which…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office will host a Job Fair on Thursday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the agency’s headquarters, 4415 Memorial Drive in Decatur, Georgia. The event will offer career opportunities with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office as Deputy Sheriff and as Detention Officer.  Positions are immediately available, and qualified applicants may be offered “on the spot” conditional employment. For information on the requirements and responsibilities for both positions, visit “Careers” at www.dekalbsheriff.org.

As of Thursday, Nov. 2, the early voting turnout for the Nov. 7 Conyers General and Special Election was 350 (330 in-person ballots and 20 mail ballots issued). The city of Conyers has 7,671 active voters, said Cynthia Welch, Rockdale’s supervisor of elections. Voting hours will be extended on Friday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The only polling precinct that will be open is the Rockdale Board of Elections and Registration at 1400 Parker Road, Lobby C, Conyers. For more information, call 770-278-3333.

Approximately 4,500 DeKalb County voters have cast their ballots for the Nov. 7 General Municipal and Special Elections. Early voting will be held through Friday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the locations listed below: Main Office, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032 Bessie Branham Recreation Center, 2015 Delano Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30317 Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338 There will be no voting on Saturday, Nov. 4, or Monday, Nov. 6. To vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters must go to their assigned polling locations, which will be open 7 a.m.…

Students interested in earning free college credit while in high school or even an associate’s degree are invited to an informational session on Rockdale County Public School’s Dual Enrollment for the 2018-19 school year. The informational session will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. Dual Enrollment representatives will be available from Georgia Piedmont Technical College, GSU Perimeter Campus, Point University, Gordon College. For more information, contact Bennett McCumber at bmcumber@rockdale.k12.ga.us or visit the RCPS Dual Enrollment information page at www.rockdaleschools.org/de

Medicare open enrollment is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Navigators for 2018 Medicaid and Medicare services will provide information on the Medicare Part D health plan on Thursday, Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. If you desire a personalized comparison of healthcare options, bring your Medicare card, a list of your prescriptions and the name of your preferred pharmacy. Assistance will be provided on using the online Medicare Decision Tool, which generate health care plans and their costs.